Warmonger romps home by more than 10 lengths in Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm

Warmonger has romped home to win the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) by more than 10 lengths at Eagle Farm in an incredible staying performance.

Blake Shinn lands a demolition job to win the Group 1 Queensland Derby on Warmonger at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

Melbourne Cup — here we come.

If not this year, next year.

That was the verdict from co-trainer Michael Kent Jr after three-year-old Warmonger produced one of the most epic Group 1 wins you will see when destroying his opposition by 10½ lengths in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m).

Kent Jr, who co-trains with Mick Price, says the 2024 Melbourne Cup may come around too soon for the staying gelding but the Cup would be in his sweet spot in 2025.

But that didn’t stop bookies slashing his odds from $101 to $18 to score the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

His odds were also cut from $51 to $15 for the Caulfield Cup.

The Derby become an incredible spectacle when Navy King did his best Pride Of Jenni impersonation and went to a huge lead under Craig Williams, before fading to be beaten more than 17 lengths.

“He went to the gates like an Oakleigh Plate horse, not a Derby horse,” Williams said.

“He was going his speed, not my speed.”

WARMONGER ABSOLUTELY CRUSHES THEM IN THE @ladbrokescomau QLD DERBY! 🤯@blake_shinn and @MickPriceRacing take a bow! #QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/lc35KQ26AL

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 1, 2024

As that unfolded upfront, Blake Shinn was smoking his pipe before going to the lead early in the Eagle Farm straight and getting further and further ahead.

It was an absolute demolition job with Moonlight Magic ($26) finishing a distant second and Tony Gollan’s three-year-ld Felix The Scat ($61) running much better than his price suggested and finishing third.

“I got half excited there coming around the turn, he had put in a huge run,” Gollan said.

But to the dominant winner goes the spoils and it was Shinn’s second Group 1 win in quick succession after winning the Doomben Cup the previous Saturday.

Just fell in, Warmonger 🤯 pic.twitter.com/891aj9uzsF

— Punters+ (@Punters) June 1, 2024

Shinn said the win was so imposing it felt like a track gallop. At his previous start, Warmonger had to settle for second in the South Australian Derby but he was many lengths better in his Eagle Farm romp.

He started $10 in the Queensland Derby and those who backed him were giggling a long way from the finish.

“It was a bit of a track gallop for him,” Shinn said.

“He had his ears pricked down the back. He did it the tough way but he was comfortable.

“I asked him to extend from the 500 (metre mark) and he just kept building.

“I made sure he kept going to the line, but the horse really deserved it.”

Warmonger made his debut only nine months ago, finishing third in a Seymour maiden before winning a maiden at Mornington at his second start.

Warmonger breaks his maiden in the Neds Same Race Multi Handicap for @MickPriceRacing.

✌️ on @NedsAus#Mornington🏇 Tuesday for @LaneDamian.

pic.twitter.com/CTtrSGSp8K

— Melbourne Racing Club (@MelbRacingClub) October 10, 2023

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman had earlier won the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup with I Wish I Win but their Derby favourite, $2.35 favourite Autumn Angel, finished ninth and was beaten more than 16 lengths.

Autumn Angel didn’t enjoy the Eagle Farm track on Saturday, and is now set to go for a spell.

Originally published as Warmonger romps home by more than 10 lengths in Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm